Wireless power transmission apparatus and method therefor

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a wireless power transmission apparatus and a method therefor. The present invention provides a wireless power transmission apparatus including: a power transmission module; a first communication module; a second communication module; and a controller for searching out a first wireless power reception device performing wireless power transmission/reception, transmitting a second magnetic field signal of a second frequency band through the power transmission module, sensing a second response signal to the second magnetic field signal through the second communication module, and searching out a second wireless power reception device performing wireless power transmission/reception by means of the second frequency band according to whether the second response signal is received.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/784,774 filedOct. 15, 2015, which is a national stage entry of PCT/KR2014/003378filed on Apr. 17, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/812,988 filed Apr. 17, 2013 and the benefitfrom Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0048839 filed Apr. 30, 2013,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The following description relates to a wireless power transmitter and amethod for transmitting power wirelessly and, more particularly, to awireless power transmitter, which searches for a plurality of wirelesspower receivers using different wireless power transceiving standards,and a method for transmitting power wirelessly.

Related Art

A wireless power transmission technology is a technology of transmittingpower wirelessly between a power source and an electronic device. Forexample, the wireless power transmission technology may provide greatermobility, convenience, and safety than a wired charging environmentusing the existing wired charging connector, simply by putting a mobileterminal, such as a smart phone and a tablet, on a wireless chargingpad. In addition, the wireless power transmission technology isconsidered to replace the existing wired power transmission environmentwhen it comes to not only wireless charging of mobile terminals, homeappliances, electric automobiles, but also other various fieldsincluding medical industries, leisure, robots, and the like.

The wireless power transmission technology, which can be classified as atechnology utilizing electromagnetic radiation and electromagneticinduction, is not highly efficient because of radiation loss that occursin the air. To solve this drawback, efforts have been made to develop atechnology that utilizes mainly electromagnetic induction.

Wireless power transmission technologies using electromagnetic inductionare classified mainly into an inductive coupling scheme and a resonantmagnetic coupling scheme.

The inductive coupling scheme is a method in which a magnetic field isradiated by a coil of a transmitter due to electromagnetic fieldcoupling between the coil of the transmitter and a coil of a receiverand energy is transferred using current induced to the receiver. Theinductive coupling scheme has an advantage of high transmissionefficiency; however, its power transmission distance is limited to fewmm and it is so sensitive to coil matching, so that it has a very lowdegree of location freedom.

The resonance magnetic coupling scheme is a method that has beenproposed by Professor Marin Soljacic at MIT in 2005, the method in whichenergy is transferred using a phenomenon where a magnetic field isfocused at both ends of a transmitter and a receiver due to a magneticfield applied with a resonant frequency between a coil of thetransmitter and a coil of the receiver.

The resonance magnetic coupling scheme enables transmitting energy fromfew cm to few m, which is a transmission range larger than that of theinductive coupling scheme, and transmitting power using multiple devicesat the same time. Thus, the resonance magnetic coupling scheme isexpected as a wireless power transmission scheme that will embody realcord-free transmission.

However, there are too various standards in the wireless powertransmission field. The typical standards are of Qi standard of theWireless Power Consortium, an Alliance For Wirless Power (A4WP) standardled by Qualcomm and Samsung, a Power Matteres Alliance (PMA) standardled by Power Matteres. Under this circumstance, if a wireless powertransmitter and a wireless power receiver comply with differentstandards, wireless power is not able to be transmitted and receivedbetween the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a wireless power transceiver whichsearches for a plurality of wireless power receivers using differentwireless power transceiving standards, and a wireless power transmissionmethod.

The object of the present invention is not limited to said aiming, andthe person ordinarily skilled in the art can clearly understand otherobjects, which are not mentioned here, by the description and thedrawings.

In an aspect, there is provided a wireless power transmitter including:a power transmitting module configured to transmit wireless power usingone of a magnetic field of first frequency band and a magnetic field ofsecond frequency band that is different from the first frequency band; afirst communication module; a second communication module; and acontroller configured to transmit a first magnetic field signal of thefirst frequency band through the power transmitting module, detect afirst response signal regarding the first magnetic field signal throughthe first communication module, in response to receipt of the firstresponse signal, search for a first wireless power receiver thattransmits and receives wireless power using the first frequency band,transmit the second magnetic field signal through the power transmittingmodule, detect a second response signal regarding the second magneticfield signal through the second communication module, and, in responseto receipt of the second response signal, search for a second wirelesspower receiver that transmits and receives wireless power using thesecond frequency band.

In another aspect, there is provided a wireless power transmissionmethod including: transmitting a first magnetic field signal of a firstfrequency band through a power transmitting module that transmitswireless power by using any one of a magnetic field of the firstfrequency band and a magnetic field of a second frequency band that isdifferent from the first frequency band; detecting a first responsesignal regarding the first magnetic signal through the firstcommunication module; in response to receipt of the first responsesignal, searching for a first wireless power receiver that transmits andreceives wireless power using the first frequency band; transmitting asecond magnetic signal of the second frequency band through the powertransmitting module; detecting a second response signal regarding forthe first magnetic field signal through the second communication module;and in response to receipt of the second response signal, searching fora second wireless power receiver that transmits and receives wirelesspower using the second frequency band.

The solution of the present invention is not limited to said solutions,and the person ordinarily skilled in the art can clearly understandother solutions, which are not mentioned here, by the description andthe drawings.

According to the present invention, a single power transmissiontransmitter may transmit power to a plurality of wireless power receiverusing different wireless power transceiving standards.

The effect of the present invention is not limited to said effects, andthe person ordinarily skilled in the art can clearly understand othereffects, which are not mentioned here, by the description and thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless power system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless power transmitteraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the first-type wireless power receiveraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the second-type wireless powerreceiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication in a wirelesspower network according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating wireless power transmissionin a wireless power network according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting andreceiving wireless power according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an operation of configuringa communication network in a method for transmitting and receivingwireless power according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an operation of configuringa charging network in a method for transmitting and receiving wirelesspower according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an operation oftransmitting and receiving power in a method for transmitting andreceiving wireless power according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating how a wireless power networkoperates to transmit and receive power in a method for transmitting andreceiving wireless power according to an exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to assist the reader in gaining acomprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systemsdescribed herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, andequivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described hereinwill be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also,descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omittedfor increased clarity and conciseness.

The terms and drawings used in the description is for a comprehensiveunderstanding of the present invention. And the shapes shown in thedrawings are presented in exaggerative manner to assist the reader inunderstanding the present invention. Therefore the present invention isnot limited to the terms and drawings used in the description.

If the detailed descriptions of the well-known functions andconstructions regarding the present invention can blur the features ofthe present invention, they may be omitted for increased clarity andconciseness.

In one general aspect, there is provided a wireless power transmitterincluding: a power transmitting module configured to transmit wirelesspower using one of a magnetic field of first frequency band and amagnetic field of second frequency band that is different from the firstfrequency band; a first communication module; a second communicationmodule; and a controller configured to transmit a first magnetic fieldsignal of the first frequency band through the power transmittingmodule, detect a first response signal regarding the first magneticfield signal through the first communication module, in response toreceipt of the first response signal, search for a first wireless powerreceiver that transmits and receives wireless power using the firstfrequency band, transmit the second magnetic field signal through thepower transmitting module; detect a second response signal regarding thesecond magnetic field signal through the second communication module,and, in response to receipt of the second response signal, search for asecond wireless power receiver that transmits and receives wirelesspower using the second frequency band.

The first communication module may be an in-band communication moduleusing the magnetic field of the first frequency band, and the secondcommunication module may be an in-band communication module using themagnetic field of the second frequency band.

The first communication module may be an in-band communication moduleusing the magnetic field of the first frequency band, and the secondcommunication module may be an out-band communication module thatperforms communication using a communication carrier different from themagnetic field.

The second communication module may be a communication module thatperforms one of Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication, andRadio Frequency Identification.

The controller may be further configured to: determine that the firstwireless power transmitter exists within a wireless power transmissionrange in the case where the first response signal is received for afirst preset time period; determine that the first wireless powertransmitter does not exist within the wireless power transmission rangein the case where the first response signal is not received for thefirst preset time period; determine that the second wireless powertransmitter exits within a wireless power transmission range in the casewhere the second response signal is received for a second preset timeperiod; and determine that the second wireless power transmitter doesnot exist within the wireless power transmission range in the case wherethe second response signal is not received for the second preset timeperiod.

The controller may be further configured to detect the first responsesignal for a first preset time period after transmitting the firstmagnetic field signal, and, if the first present time period haselapsed, transmit the second magnetic field signal.

The controller may be further configured to, in the case where the firstwireless power receiver and the second wireless power receiver arefound, assign a first identifier (ID) to the first wireless powerreceiver and a second ID to the second wireless power receiver.

The controller may be further configured to transmit a message includingthe first ID to the first wireless power receiver through the firstcommunication module and a message including the second ID to the secondwireless power receiver through the second communication module.

In another general aspect, there is provided a wireless powertransmission method including: transmitting a first magnetic fieldsignal of a first frequency band through a power transmitting modulethat transmits wireless power by using any one of a magnetic field ofthe first frequency band and a magnetic field of a second frequency bandthat is different from the first frequency band; detecting a firstresponse signal regarding the first magnetic signal through the firstcommunication module; in response to receipt of the first responsesignal, searching for a first wireless power receiver that transmits andreceives wireless power using the first frequency band; transmitting asecond magnetic signal of the second frequency band through the powertransmitting module; detecting a second response signal regarding forthe first magnetic field signal through the second communication module;and in response to receipt of the second response signal, searching fora second wireless power receiver that transmits and receives wirelesspower using the second frequency band.

The first communication module may be an in-band communication moduleusing the magnetic field of the first frequency band, and the secondcommunication module may be an in-band communication module using themagnetic field of the second frequency band.

The first communication module may be an in-band communication moduleusing the magnetic field of the first frequency band, and the secondcommunication module may be an out-band communication module thatperforms communication using a communication carrier different from themagnetic.

The second communication module may be a communication module thatperforms one of Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication(NFC), and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).

The searching for the first wireless power receiver may includedetermining that the first wireless power receiver exists in a wirelesspower transmission range in the case where the first response signal isreceived for a first preset time period, and determining that the firstwireless power receiver does not exist in the wireless powertransmission range in the case where the first response signal is notreceived for the first present time, and the searching for the secondwireless power receiver may include determining that the second wirelesspower receiver exists in a wireless power transmission range in the casewhere the second response signal is received for a second present timeperiod, and determining that the second wireless power receiver does notexists in the wireless power transmission range in the case where thesecond response signal is not received for the second preset timeperiod.

The detecting of the first response signal may be performed for a firstpresent time period after transmission of the first magnetic fieldsignal, and the detecting of the second response signal may be performedwhen a second present time period has lapsed after transmission of thefirst magnetic field signal.

The wireless power transmission method may further include, in a casewhere the first wireless power receiver and the second wireless powerreceiver are found, assigning a first identifier (ID) to the firstwireless power receiver and a second ID to the second wireless powerreceiver.

The wireless power transmission may further include: transmitting amessage including the first ID to the first wireless power receiverthrough the first communication module; and transmitting a messageincluding the second ID to the second wireless power receiver throughthe second communication module.

Hereinafter, a wireless power system 1000 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is described.

The wireless power system 1000 is enabled to transmit power wirelesslyin a magnetic field.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the wireless power system 1000according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless power system 1000 includes a wirelesspower transmitter 1100 and a wireless power receiver 1200. The wirelesspower transmitter 1100 creates a magnetic field by being applied withpower from an external power source S. The wireless power receiver 1200receives power wirelessly by generating currents using the createdmagnetic field.

In addition, in the wireless power system 1000, the wireless powertransmitter 1100 and the wireless power receiver 1200 may transmit andreceive various kinds of information required for wireless powertransmission. Here, communication between the wireless power transmitter1100 and the wireless power receiver 1200 may be performed according toeither in-band communication using a magnetic field used for thewireless power transmission or out-band communication using anadditional communication carrier.

Here, the wireless power transmitter 1100 may be a fixed type or amobile type. Examples of a fixed-type wireless power transmitter 1100may be in a form of being embedded in a furniture inside, such as aceil, wall, and a table, being implanted in the outside, such as aparking lot, a bus station, and a subway station, and being installed ina transportation means, such as a vehicle and a train. A mobile-typewireless power transmitter 1100 may be a mobile device, which is lightand compact enough to carry, or a component of a different device, suchas a cover of a notebook.

In addition, it needs to understand that the wireless power receiver1200 may include various home appliances that operates by receivingpower wirelessly, rather than using an additional electronic device anda power cable. Typical examples of the wireless power receiver 1200includes a portable terminal, a cellular phone, a smart phone, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Media Player (PMP), a Wibroterminal, a tablet, a pablet, a notebook, a digital camera, a navigationterminal, a TV, an Electronic Vehicle (EV), and the like.

In the wireless power system 1000, a single wireless power receiver 1200or a plurality of wireless power receiver 1200 may be provided. FIG. 1shows an example in which the wireless power transmitter 1100 transmitspower only to the wireless power receiver 1200, but a single wirelesspower transmitter 1100 may transmit power to a plurality of wirelesspower receiver 1200. In particular, if wireless power transmission isperformed using the resonant magnetic coupling scheme, a single wirelesspower transmitter 1100 is able to transmit power to multiple wirelesspower receiver 1200 simultaneously using a simultaneous transmissiontechnique or a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) transmissiontechnique.

A replay for improving a wireless power transmission distance may befurther included in the wireless power system 1000, although beingomitted from FIG. 1. A passive-type resonance loop, which is embodied asan LC circuit, may be used as the relay. The resonance loop may focus amagnetic field radiating in the air to improve a wireless powertransmission distance. In addition, it is possible to secure much widerwireless power transmission coverage using multiple relays at the sametime.

Hereinafter, the wireless power transmitter 1100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention is described.

The wireless power transmitter 1100 is capable of transmitting powerwirelessly.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the wireless power transmitter1100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless power transmitter 1100 includes apower transmitting module 1110, a transmit antenna 1120, a communicationmodule 1130, and a controller 1140.

The power transmitting module 1110 may generate transmission power withpower applied from an external power source S. The power transmittingmodule 1110 may include an AC-DC converter 1111, a frequency oscillator1112, a power amplifier 1113, and an impedance matcher 1114.

The AC-DC converter 1111 may convert AC power into DC power. The AC-DCconverter 1111 receives AC power from the external power source S,converts a waveform of the received AC power into DC power, and outputsthe DC power. The AC-DC converter 1111 may adjust a voltage value of DCpower to be output.

The frequency oscillator 1112 may convert DC power into AC power of adesired particular frequency. The frequency oscillator 1112 receives DCpower output from the AC-DC converter 1111, converts the received DCpower into AC power of a particular frequency, and outputs the AC powerof particular frequency. The particular frequency may be a resonancefrequency. The frequency oscillator 1112 may output AC power of aresonance frequency. Of course, the frequency oscillator 1112 does notnecessarily oscillate a resonance frequency.

The power amplifier 1113 may amplify voltage or current of power. Thepower amplifier 1113 receives AC power of a particular frequency, outputfrom the frequency oscillator 1112, amplifies voltage or current of thereceived AC power of a particular frequency, and outputs the AC powerwhose voltage or current is amplified.

The impedance matcher 1114 may perform impedance matching. The impedancematcher 1114 may include a capacitor, an inductor, and a switchingdevice that switches connection between the capacitor and the inductor.Impedance matching may be performed by detecting a reflected wave ofwireless power transmitted from the transmit antenna 1120 and thenswitching the switching device based on the reflected wave to adjust aconnection state of the capacitor or inductor, adjust capacitance of thecapacitor, or adjust inductance of the inductor.

The transmit antenna 1120 may generate an electromagnetic field by usingAC power. The transmit antenna 1120 may be applied with AC power of aparticular frequency, which is output from the power amplifier 1113, andaccordingly create a magnetic field of the particular frequency. Thecreated magnetic field radiates, and the wireless power receiver 1200receives the radiating magnetic field to thereby generate current. Inother words, the transmit antenna 1120 transmits power wirelessly.

The communication antenna 1125 may transmit and receive a communicationsignal using a communication carrier other than a magnetic fieldcommunication carrier. For example, the communication antenna 1125 maytransmit and receive a communication signal, such as a Wi-Fi signal, aBluetooth signal, a Bluetooth LE signal, a Zigbee signal, an NFC signal,and the like.

The communication module 1130 may receive and transmit information withrespect to the wireless power receiver 1200. The communication module1130 may include an in-band communication module 1131 and an out-bandcommunication module 1132.

The in-band communication module 1131 may transmit and receiveinformation using a magnetic wave of a particular frequency used as acenter frequency. For example, the communication module 1130 may performin-band communication by transmitting information loaded into a magneticwave through the transmit antenna 1120 or receiving a magnetic waveloaded with information through the transmit antenna 1120. At thispoint, using a modulation schemes, such as Binary Phase Shift Keying(BPSK) or Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)) and a coding scheme, such asManchester or non-return-to-zero level coding, information may be loadedinto a magnetic wave or a magnetic wave loaded with information may beinterpreted. Using the in-band communication, the communication module1130 is enabled to transmit and receive information at few kbps within arange of up to few meters.

The out-band communication module 1132 may perform out-bandcommunication through the communication antenna 1125. For example, thecommunication module 1130 may be a short-range communication module.Examples of the short-range communication module includes a Wi-Fimodule, a Bluetooth module, a Bluetooth LE module, a Zigbee module, anNFC module, and the like.

The controller 1140 may control overall operations of the wireless powertransmitter 1100. The controller 1140 may compute and process variouskinds of information and control each configuration element of thewireless power transmitter 1100.

The controller 1140 may be a computer or a similar device by usinghardware, software or a combination thereof. In terms of hardware, thecontroller 1140 may be an electro circuit that performs a controlfunction by processing an electronic signal. In terms of software, thecontroller 1140 may be a program that executes a hardware controller1140.

Hereinafter, the wireless power receiver 1200 according to an exemplaryembodiment is described.

The wireless power receiver 1200 is capable of receiving powerwirelessly.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the first-type wireless powerreceiver 1200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless power receiver 1200 includes a receiveantenna 1210, a power receiving module 1220, a communication module1230, and a controller 1240.

The receive antenna 1210 may receive wireless power from the wirelesspower transmitter 1100. The receive antenna 1210 may receive power usinga magnetic field radiating from the transmit antenna 1120. If aparticular frequency is a resonance frequency, magnetic resonance occursbetween the transmit antenna 1120 and the receive antenna 1210 so thatit is possible to receive power more efficiently.

Using power received by the receive antenna 1210, the power receivingmodule 1220 may charge or drive the wireless power receiver 1200. Thepower receiving module 1220 may include an impedance matcher 1221, arectifier 1222, a DC-DC converter 1223, and a battery 1224.

The impedance matcher 1221 may adjust impedance of the wireless powerreceiver 1200. The impedance matcher 1221 may include a capacitor, aninductor, and a switching device that switches a combination thereof.Impedance matching may be performed by controlling the switching deviceof the impedance matcher 1221 based on a voltage value, a current value,a power value, a frequency value, etc., of received wireless power.

The rectifier 1222 may rectify received wireless power to convert ACinto DC. The rectifier 1222 may AC into DC using a diode or a transistorand smooth DC using a capacitor and a resistance. The rectifier 1222 maybe a wave rectifier embodied as a bridge circuit, a half-wave rectifier,a voltage multiplier, and the like.

The DC-DC converter 1223 may output the rectified DC by convertingvoltage of the rectified DC into a desired level. If a voltage value ofDC power rectified by the rectifier 1222 is greater or smaller than avoltage value required for charging a battery or executing an electronicdevice, the DC-DC converter 1223 may change a voltage value of therectified DC power into desired voltage.

The battery 1224 may store energy using power output from the DC-DCconverter 1223. However, the wireless power receiver 1200 does notnecessarily include the battery 1224. For example, a battery may beprovided as a detachable external component. In another example, insteadof the battery 1224, a driving means for driving various operations ofan electronic device may be included in the wireless power receiver1200.

The communication module 1230 may transmit and receive information withrespect to the wireless power receiver 1200. In the first-type wirelesspower receiver 1200, the communication module 1230 may perform in-bandcommunication.

The communication module 1230 for in-band communication may receive andtransmit information using a magnetic wave with a particular frequencyused as a center frequency. For example, the communication module 1230may perform in-band communication by transmitting information loadedinto a magnetic wave through the receive antenna 1210 or receiving amagnetic wave loaded with information through the receive antenna 1210.At this point, using a modulation scheme, such as BPSK or ASK, and acoding scheme, such as Manchester coding or NZR-L coding, it is possibleto load information into the magnetic field or interpret a magnetic waveloaded with information. Using the in-band communication, thecommunication module 1230 may be able to receive and transmitinformation at a few kbps within up to a few meters.

The controller 1240 may control overall operations of the wireless powerreceiver 1200. The controller 1240 may compute and process various kindsof information and control each configuration element of the wirelesspower receiver 1200.

The controller 1240 may be a computer or a similar device by usinghardware, software, or a combination thereof. In terms of hardware, thecontroller 1240 may be an electronic circuit that performs a controllingfunction by processing an electronic signal. In terms of software, thecontroller 1240 may be a program that drives the hardware controller1240.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the second-type wireless powerreceiver 1200 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second-type wireless power receiver 1200 mayfurther include a communication antenna 1215 in addition to theconfiguration of the first-type wireless power receiver 1200. Thecommunication module 1230 in the second-type wireless power receiver1200 may be an out-band communication module.

The communication antenna 1215 may receive and transmit a communicationsignal using a communication carrier other than a magnetic fieldcommunication carrier. For example, the communication antenna 1215 mayreceive and transmit a communication signal, such as a Wi-Fi signal, aBluetooth signal, a Bluetooth LE signal, a Zigbee signal, an NFC signal,and the like.

An out-band communication module, the communication module 1230 mayperform an out-band communication through the communication antenna1215. For example, the communication module 1130 may be provided as ashort-range communication module. Examples of the short-rangecommunication module include a Wi-Fi communication module, a Bluetoothcommunication module, a Bluetooth LE communication module, a Zigbeecommunication module, an NFC communication module, and the like.

Accordingly, in the second-type wireless power receiver 1200, wirelesspower may be received through the receive antenna 1210, whilecommunication with the wireless power transmitter 1100 may be performedthrough the communication antenna 1215.

Hereinafter, there are provided descriptions about a procedure in whichpower is transmitted wirelessly in the wireless power system 1000according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Wireless transmission of power may be performed using the inductivecoupling scheme or the resonant magnetic coupling scheme. The wirelesstransmission of power may be performed between the transmit antenna 1120of the wireless power transmitter 1100 and the receive antenna 1210 ofthe wireless power receiver 1200.

In the case of using the resonant magnetic coupling scheme, the transmitantenna 1120 and the receive antenna 1210 may be in a form of aresonance antenna. A resonance antenna may be in a resonance structurethat includes a coil and a capacitor. A resonance frequency of theresonance antenna is decided by inductance of the coil and capacitanceof the capacitor. The coil may be in a loop form. In addition, a coremay be disposed inside the loop. The core may include a physical core,such as a ferrite core, or an air core.

Energy transmission between the transmit antenna 1120 and the receiveantenna 1210 may be possible using resonance of a magnetic field. Theresonance refers to a case where, if a near field corresponding to aresonant frequency occurs in one resonance antenna and another resonanceantenna is located nearby, the two resonance antenna are coupled so thathighly efficient energy transfer occurs between the resonance antennas.If a magnetic field corresponding to a resonance frequency is createdbetween a resonance antenna of the transmit antenna 1120 and a resonanceantenna of the receive antenna 1210, a resonance phenomenon where thetwo resonance antennas causes resonance occurs, a magnetic field towardthe receive antenna 1210 is focused more efficiently than when amagnetic field created in the transmit antenna 1120 radiates into a freespace, and, in turn, energy may be transmitted more efficiently from thetransmit antenna 1120 to the receive antenna 1210.

The inductive coupling scheme may be embodied similarly as the resonancemagnetic coupling scheme does. However, a frequency of the magneticfield does not necessarily be a resonance frequency. Instead, in theinductive coupling scheme, loops of the receive antenna 1210 and thetransmit antenna 1120 are required to be matched and a gap between theloops needs to be very close.

Hereinafter, there are provided descriptions about a wireless powernetwork according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

A wireless power network 2000 may indicates a network that performswireless power transmission and communication.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication on the wirelesspower network 2000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating wireless powertransmission on the wireless power network 2000 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a wireless power network 2000 may include aWireless power Charger (WPC) 2100 and a Wireless Power Receiver (WRP)2200. The WPC 2100 may be the aforementioned wireless power transmitter1100 or a device that performs functions identical or similar to thoseof the wireless power transmitter 1100. In addition, the WPR 2200 may bethe aforementioned wireless power receiver 1200 or a device thatperforms functions identical or similar to those of the wireless powerreceiver 1200.

Therefore, operations to be performed by the WPC 2100 may be performedconstituent elements of the wireless power transmitter 1100, andoperations to be performed by the WPR 2200 may be performed byconstituent elements of the wireless power receiver 1200. For example,communication between the WPC 2100 and the WPR 2200 may be performed bythe communication modules 1131 and 1230 in an in-band communicationthrough the receive antenna 1210, or may be performed by thecommunication modules 1132 and 1230 in an out-band communication throughthe communication antenna 1125 and 1251. In addition, transmission andreceipt of wireless power may be performed by the power transmittingmodule 1110 and the power receiving module 1220 using the resonantmagnetic coupling scheme or the inductive coupling scheme through thetransmit antenna 1120 and the receive antenna 1210. Similarly, thefollowing operations of selecting a power transmission mode, assigning atime slot, controlling the WPR 2200 to be activated or inactivated, andany other controlling and computation may be performed by thecontrollers 1140 and 1240.

The wireless power network 2000 may be provided in a form of starttopology where one or more WPR 2200 are arranged centering on a singleWPC 2100. The WPC 2100 may radiate a magnetic field. Accordingly, acommunication zone and a charging zone may be formed centering on theWPC 2100.

The communication zone refers to an area where the WPC 2100 is capableof communicating with the WPR 2200, and the charging area refers to anarea where the WPR 2200 is capable of charging the battery or operatingitself by using a magnetic field received from the WPC 2100.

The communication area may include the charging area. For example, inthe case where in-band communication is performed in the wireless powernetwork 2000, the communication area may be a range where communicationpackets is able to be transmitted to and received from the WPR 2200 dueto a magnetic field radiated by the WPC 2100. The further a transmissiondistance is, the less amount of power the magnetic field radiated by theWPC 2100 transfers. In addition, the power transferred by the magneticfield needs to be greater than a predetermined level to charge or drivethe WPR 2200. However, magnetic field communication does not have suchconstraints or limitations, so that a charging area is formed smallerthan a communication area. Of course, the size of the communication areamay be the same as that of the charging area. Meanwhile, in the casewhere out-band communication is performed, a range of a short-rangecommunication network is larger than a wireless power transmissionrange, so that a communication area may be formed larger than a chargingarea.

Whether the WPR 2200 belong to a charging area or a communication areaexcept for the charging area may be determined by whether the WPR 2200is properly charged (or driven). For example, based on a level of amagnetic field received from the WPR 2200, the WPC 2100 may determinewhether the WPR 2200 is able to be properly charged. Alternatively,based on a level of a magnetic field radiated by the WPC 2100, the WPR2200 may determine whether charging can be done properly, and transmit aresult of the determination to the WPC 2100.

Again, referring to FIG. 5, the WPC 2100 may exchange information bytransmitting and receiving magnetic field signals or communicationcarriers according to out-band communication with respect to the WPR2200 existing in a communication area that includes a charging area. Inaddition, referring to FIG. 6, using a magnetic field, the WPC 2100 maytransmit wireless power to a specific WPR 2200 existing in a chargingarea among WPRs 2200.

Although FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrates examples in which a charging area anda communication area forms circles, respectively, and are spatiallydistinguishable from each other, but the charging area and thecommunication area may have a different shapes according tocharacteristics of the WPR 2200. For example, a WPR 2200 with lowcharging voltage may have a larger charging area than a WPR 2200 withhigh charging voltage.

Hereinafter, a wireless power transceiving method according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention is described. The wirelesspower transceiving method is described using the aforementioned wirelesspower network 2000. However, the wireless power transceiving method isnot limited thereto, and may be performed a system identical or similarto the wireless power network 2000.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless power transceiving methodaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the wireless power transceiving method includes anoperation S110 of searching for a WPR 2200, an operation S120 of settinga communication network, an operation S130 of setting a power network,an operation S140 of setting a power transmission mode, and an operationS150 of transceiving wireless power. Hereinafter, there are provideddetailed descriptions about each of the aforementioned operations.

First of all, a WPC 2100 searches for a neighboring WPR 2200 in S110.

The WPR 2200 may transmit and receive wireless power according tovarious wireless power transmitting and receiving protocols. Forexample, the WPR 2200 may operate according to a wireless powertransmitting and receiving protocol or a communication protocol, whichis defined in at least one of Qi standard of the Wireless PowerConsortium, a wireless power transceiving standard of Alliance ForWirless Power (A4WP), a wireless power transciving standard of PowerMatteres Alliance (PMA), a wireless power transceiving standard led byNear Field Communication (NFC) or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID),ISO/IEC SC6, ISO TC100, CJK wireless power transmission standard, othervarious domestic standards, international standards, and industrialstandards.

The WPC 2100 may perform communication and power transmission andreceipt according to a method defined by a plurality of standards amongthe aforementioned various standards. Accordingly, the WPC 2100 maysearch for a WPR 2200 according to a different standard.

The WPC 2100 may periodically broadcast a scanning signal according to aplurality of standards. For the scanning signal, various communicationcarriers of various frequency bands may be used. For example, in thecase of Qi standard, a magnetic field signal of a specific frequencyband is transmitted to search for a nearby WPR 2200. In another example,in the case of A4WP standard, a magnetic field signal of a differentfrequency band is transmitted to search for a nearby WPR 2200.

Each of the WPRs 2200 transmits a response signal to the WPC 2100 inresponse to a scanning signal according to a standard applied to acorresponding WPR 2200. The WPC 2100 analyzes the response signal todetermine whether there is a nearby WPR 2200 to which a specificstandard is applied.

A method for searching for the WPR 2200 is described in detail withreference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a detailed flowchart illustrating anoperation of configuring a communication network in a wireless powertransceiving method according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

The WPC 2100 is a device that transmits and receives wireless poweraccording to the first, second, and third standards. The first WPR(WPR-1) 200 a is a device that complies with the first standard forwireless power transmission and receipt, and the second WPC (WPR-2) 2200b is a device that complies with the second standard for wireless powertransmission and receipt.

Referring to FIG. 8, the WPC 2100 may sequentially broadcast the firstscanning signal according to the first standard, the second scanningsignal according to the second standard, and the third scanning signalaccording to the third standard. The first, second, and third scanningsignals are signals defined by different standards, and may be differentin at least one of a frequency band or a communication carrier. Forexample, the first scanning signal may be a magnetic signal of 100-200KHz, the second scanning signal may be a magnetic signal of 6.78 Mhz,and the third scanning signal may be an Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) signal.

The WPC 2100 may transmit each scanning signal and receive a responsesignal according to a corresponding standard for a predetermined timeperiod. In this case, in response to the first scanning signal, thefirst WPR 2200 a transmit the first response signal according to thefirst standard. Similarly, in response to the second scanning signal,the second WPR 2200 b transmits the second response signal according tothe second standard. The first WPR 2200 a and the second WPR 2200 b donot transmit a response signal in response to the third scanning signalaccording to the third standard. The first response signal has afrequency band and a communication carrier according to the firststandard, while the second response signal has a frequency band and acommunication carrier according to the second standard.

In response to receipt of the first response signal the WPC 2100determines that the first WPR 2200 a according to the first standardexists nearby. In addition, in response to receipt of the secondresponse signal, the WPC 2100 determines that the second WPR 2200 baccording to the second standard exists nearby. Based on each responsesignal, the WPC 2100 may determine a standard that is applied to anearby WPR 2200.

Through the aforementioned operation, the WPC 2100 may search for aneighboring WPR 2000.

The above descriptions are about an example where in response to receiptof an response signal, the WPC 2100 determines that the WPR 2200 exists;however, when transmitting a scanning signal, the WPC 2100 detects areflective wave or a change in impedance so as to determine whether theWPR 2000 exists or determine which standard is applied to the WPR 2000.In this case, a magnetic field is used as a carrier of the scanningsignal, and an operation of receiving a response signal may be omitted.

The WPC 2100 may set a communication network in S120. Specifically, theWPC 2100 may include the found WPR 2200 in a communication network.

The WPC 2100 may transmit access request messages to the found WPR 2200.In this case, the access request messages may be signals according to astandard that is determined to be used by the WPR 2200 when the WPR 2200are detected. In response to an access request signal, a WPR 2200 maytransmit an access response message including identification information(i.e., a device address such as MAC address) of the WPR 2200 to the WPC2100. The access response message may be a signal defined by a standardwhich is applied to the WPR 2200, and, specifically, an in-bandcommunication signal or an out-band communication signal having afrequency band according to the standard which is applied to the WPR2200.

Based on the response signal, the WPC may assign a communicationidentifier (ID) (COM) to the WPR 2200, and transmit a communicationnetwork setting message including the communication ID to the WPR 2200.Based on the communication ID included in the communication networksetting message, the WPR 2200 may recognize its own identification andtransmit an ACK message to the WPC 2100.

A method for setting a communication network is described in detail withreference to FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 8, the WPC 2100 transmits the first access requestmessage to the first WPR 200 a. In response to the first access message,the first WPR 2200 a may transmit the first access response messageincluding identification information of its own to the WPC 2100. Basedon the identification information, the WPR 2100 assigns the firstcommunication ID (COM-1) to the first WPR 2200 a, and transmit acommunication network setting message including the first communicationID (COM-1) to the first WPR 2200 a. The first WPR 2200 a sets its owncommunication ID as the first communication ID (COM-1), and transmits anACK message to the WPC 2100.

Upon completion of setting the communication ID of the first WPR 2200 a,the WPC 2100 transmits the second access message to the second WPR 2200b. In response to the second access message, the second WPR 2200 btransmits the second response message including identificationinformation of its own to the WPC 2100. Based on the identificationinformation, the WPC 2100 assigns the second communication ID (COM-2) tothe second WPR 2200 b, and transmits a communication network settingmessage including the second communication ID (COM-2) to the second WPR2200 b. The second WPR 2200 b sets its own communication ID as thesecond communication ID (COM-2), and transmits an ACK message to the WPC2100.

In this case, a message used for setting a communication network may bein a message format defined by a standard that is used by a WPR 2200corresponding to the message. As the WPC 2100 is able to determine whichstandard is used by each WPR 2200 in the searching operation, the WPC2100 may determine, based on the determined standard, a format of amessage transmitted and received with respect to each WPR 2200.

That is, the first access request message and the first access responsemessage may be provided as a signal with a frequency band and a carrieraccording to the first standard, and the second access request messageand the second access response message may be provided as a signal witha frequency band and a carrier according to the second standard. Thus,the first access request message and the first access response messagemay be different in at least one of a frequency band, a communicationscheme (in-band or out-band), and a communication carrier from thesecond access request message and the second access response message.

In addition, similarly, the communication network setting message andthe ACK message transmitted and received between the WPC 2100 and thefirst WPR 2200 a may be different in at least one of a frequency band, acommunication scheme, and a communication carrier from the communicationnetwork setting message and the ACK message transmitted and receivedbetween the WPC 2100 and the second WPR 2200 b.

Accordingly, a communication ID may be assigned to the WPR 2200, therebysetting a communication network. Upon completion of setting thecommunication network, the WPC 2100 may communicate with the WPR 2200using a communication ID assigned to the WPR 2200.

Upon completion of setting the communication network, the WPC 2100 mayset a power network in S130.

The WPC 2100 may transmit a device profile request message to the WPR2200. In response to the device profile request message, the WPR 2200may transmit a device provide response message including a deviceprofile to the WPC 2100. The device profile may include information on astandard used by the WPR 2200 for transmitting and receiving wirelesspower, information on a standard used for communication, a type of powertransmission mode that is supported (a simultaneous mode, a TDMA mode,and a TDMA simultaneous mode that is a combination of the simultaneousmode and the TDMA mode), a type of the WPR 2200 (i.e., a feature phone,a smart phone, and a tablet), a power value (voltage or current) forbattery charge, a battery charged state (a completely discharged state,a completely charged state, a percentage of battery charge, etc.), andthe like.

Based on the device profile, the WPC 2100 may determine whether awireless power transmission scheme supported by the WPC 2100 iscompatible with a wireless power transmission scheme applied to the WPR2100. For example, in the case where the WPC 2100 supports wirelesspower transmission according to Q1 standard and A4WP standard, if theWPR 2200 is capable of receiving wireless power according to one of thetwo standards, the WPC 2100 may determine that the WPR 2200 iscompatible therewith. Alternatively, in the case where the WPC 2100supports wireless power transmission according to Q1 standard and A4WPstandard, if the WPR 2200 receives wireless power according to PMAstandard, the WPC 2100 may determine that the WPR 2200 is not compatibletherewith.

In the case where the WPR 2200 is compatible, the WPC 2100 assigns apower ID (WPT-ID) to the WPR 2200, and transmits a power network settingmessage including the power ID to the WPR 2200. Based on the receivedpower network setting message, the WPR 2200 may recognize its own powerID and transmit an ACK message to the WPC 2100.

In the case where the WPR 2200 is not compatible, the WPC 2100 maytransmit, to the WPR 2200, a message indicating incompatibility, andthen, the WPR 2200 may transmit an ACK message to the WPC 2100, Beingincompatible with the WPC 2100, the WPR 2200 may not receive power innext operation S140 of transmitting power.

A method of setting a power network is described in detail withreference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart illustrating anoperation of constructing a charging network in the wireless powertransceiving method according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the WPC 2100 transmits the first device profilerequest message to the first WPR 2200 a. In response, the first WPR 2200a may transmit a first device profile response message including its owndevice profile to the WPC 2100. Based on the device profile of the firstWPR 2200 a, the WPC 2100 may determine whether the first WPR 2200 a iscompatible therewith by determining whether the wireless powertransmission standard used by the first WPR 2200 a corresponds to astandard supported by the WPC 2100. In the case where the first WPR 2200a is compatible with the WPC 2100, the WPC 2100 may assign the firstpower ID (SPT ID-1) to the first WPR 2200 a, and transmit a messageincluding the first power ID to the first WPR 2200 a. In response toreceipt of the message, the first WPR 2200 a may set its own power ID asthe first power ID (WPT ID-1), and transmit an ACK message to the WPC2100.

Upon completion of setting of the power ID of the first WPR 2200 a, theWPC 2100 transmit the second device profile request message to thesecond WPR 2200 b. In response, the second WPR 2200 b may transmit thesecond device response message including its own device profile to theWPC 2100. By reference to the device profile of the second WPR 2200 b,the WPC 2100 determines whether the second WPR 2200 b is compatibletherewith. In the case where the second WPR 2200 b is compatible, theWPC 2100 may assigns the second power ID (WPT ID-2) to the second WPR2200 b, and transmits a message including the second power ID to thesecond WRP 2200 b. In response to receipt of the message, the second WPR2200 b may set its own power ID as the second power ID (WPT ID-2), andtransmit an ACK message to the WPC 2100.

The message used for setting a power network may be in a format definedby a standard that is used by a WPR 2200 corresponding to the message.As the WPC 2100 is able to determine which standard is used by each WPR2200 in the searching operation, the WPC 2100 may determine, based onthe determined standard, a format of a message to be transmitted andreceived.

For example, the first device profile message may be provided as asignal with a frequency band and a carrier according to the firststandard, and the second device profile message may be provided as asignal with a frequency band and a carrier according to the secondstandard. The same manner is used when it comes to a different messageused in operation S130.

Accordingly, a power network may bet set in a manner in which, aftercompatibility/incompatibility of each WPR 2200 is determined, a power IDis assigns based on the result.

Meanwhile, in operation S130, by using a preset communication ID in aheader of a message between the WPC 2100 and the WPRs 2200, it ispossible to determine which WPR 2200 the message is transmitted andreceived. For example, the communication ID (COM-1) of the first WPR2200 a is included in a header of the first device profile requestmessage, and the first WPR 2200 among the WPRs 2200 may determinewhether the corresponding message is transmitted thereto or not.

Upon completion of setting a power network, the WPC 2100 may set a powertransmission mode in S140.

The WPC 2100 may set a power transmission mode. The power transmissionmode may include a single mode and a multi-mode. The multi-mode mayinclude a simultaneous mode, a TDMA mode, and a TDMA simultaneous modethat is a combination of the simultaneous mode and the TDMA mode.

For example, the WPC 2100 may select a power transmission mode byconsidering not only the number of WPRs 2200 to which power IDs areassigned and a power transmission mode supported by the WPRs 2200, butalso a standard used by the WPRs 2200 and information included in adevice profile of each of the WPRs 2200.

In the case where there is a single WPR 200 in the power network, asingle mode may be selected as the power transmission mode.Alternatively, in the case where there is a plurality of WPRs 2200, amulti-mode may be selected as the power transmission mode.

In the case where a plurality of WPRs 2200 in the power network usedifferent power transceiving standards, In the multi-mode, a TDMA modein the multi-mode may be selected. TDMA is a method in which a powertransmission sections are divided into a plurality of time slots, eachof the WPRs 2200 is assigned to a time slot, and power is transmitted tothe WPR 2200 for a time slot assigned to the WPR 2200 while power supplyis blocked to other WPRs 2200 by cutting connection between the receiveantenna 1210 and the power receiving module 1220 or clocking the receiveantenna 1210.

In the case where there are a plurality of WPRs 2200 complying withdifferent standards, the WPRs 2200 use different frequency bands for amagnetic field and a power transmission interval is time-dividedaccording to standards, so that wireless power may be transmitted andreceived according to one standard during one time slot, while wirelesspower may be transmitted and received according to the other standardduring the other time slot. Thus, in this case, the TDMA mode may beselected. Meanwhile, in the case where there are a plurality of WPRs2200 using a specific standard, a time slot assigned to the specificstandard is divided into sub time slots so as to enable each of the WPRs2200 to receive power during a corresponding assigned sub time slot.Alternatively, in the case where there are a plurality of WPRs 2200using a specific standard, a plurality of WPRs 2200 using a specificstandard may be charged simultaneously for the time slot assigned to thespecific standard.

Meanwhile, in the case where all the WPRs 2200 in the power networkcomply with the same standard, any one of the TDMA mode or thesimultaneous mode may be variably selected as a power transmission mode.If the standard supports only one of the TDMA mode or the simultaneousmode, a power transmission mode may be selected as the mode supported bythe standard.

As such, the WPC 2100 may select the power transmission mode accordingto the number of WPRs 2200 in the power network or the number ofstandards used by the WPRs 2200. However, there is a mode not supportedby the WPRs 2200, the WPC 2100 should not select the mode.

Upon completion of setting a power transmission mode, wireless power maybe transmitted and received according to the selected mode in S150.

The WPC 2100 may transmit a wireless power transmission request messageto the WPRs 2200. In response, each of the WPRs 2200 may transmit awireless power transmission response message. For a starter, based onthe wireless power transmission request message or the wireless powertransmission response message, the WPC 2100 calculates electric power,voltage, and current to be transmitted to a corresponding WPR 2200.

Then, the WPC 2100 may transmit a message including information on apower transmission mode to the corresponding WPR 2200. The message mayinclude information on which power transmission mode is used to performpower transmission, information on time slot division for a powertransmission interval with respect to the TWDM mode, and information ona WPR 2200 assigned with each time slot. In response to receipt of themessage, each of the WPRs 2200 may determine a power transmission modeand, if a power transmission interval is time-divided, identify whichtime slot is assigned. Accordingly, each of the WPR 2200 may beactivated for a time slot assigned thereto, but inactivated for timeslots not assigned thereto.

Then, the WPC 2100 may transmit test power. In response to receipt ofthe test power, a corresponding WPR 2200 may transmit a device statusmessage including power, voltage, and current received by the test powerto the WPC 2100. Based on the device status message, the WPC 2100adjusts power to be transmitted, such as performing impedance matchingand adjusting an amplification ratio. Then, the WPC 2100 transmits theadjusted power to the WPR 2200. During power transmission, the WPR 2200may periodically transmit, to the WPC 2100, a power value, a voltagevalue, and a current value regarding to the received power. Byreflecting the values transmitted from the WPR 2200, the WPC 2100 mayadjust power to be transmitted.

Finally, upon completion of power transmission, the WPC 2100 transmits,to the WPR 2200, a message notifying the end of power transmission, andfinishes transmitting power.

A method for transmitting power is described in detail with reference toFIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a powertransmitting and receiving operation in the wireless power transceivingmethod according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,and FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating how a wireless powernetwork operates to transmit and receive power in a method fortransmitting and receiving wireless power according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the WPC 2100 may transmit the first powertransmission request message to the first WPR 2200 a. In response, thefirst WPR 2200 a may transmit the first power transmission responsemessage to the WPC 2100. Based on the first power transmission responsemessage, the WPC 2100 may adjust power to be transmitted to the firstWPR 2200 a. In addition, the WPC 2100 may transmit the second powertransmission request message to the second WPR 2200 b. In response, thesecond WPR 2200 b may transmit the second power transmission responsemessage to the WPC 2100. Based on the second power transmission responsemessage, the WPC 2100 may adjust power to be transmitted to the secondWPR 2200 b.

Then, the WPC 2100 transmits, to the first WPR 2200 a, a messageincluding information on a power transmission mode and schedulinginformation. The scheduling information may be included in the case whena TDMA mode is selected. The scheduling information may includeinformation on time slot division, and information that indicates a timeslot assigned to the first WPR 2200 a. Based on this, the first WPR 2200a may determine a time slot during which it becomes activated.Similarly, the WPC 2100 transmits, to the second WPR 2200 b, a messageincluding information on a power transmission mode and schedulinginformation. The scheduling information may include information on timeslot division and information that indicates a time slot assigned withthe second WPR 2200 b.

After transmitting a message including a power transmission mode andscheduling information to each WPR 2200, the WPC 2100 startstransmitting power to each WPR 2200.

For example, in the case where the first WPR 2200 a and the second WPR2200 b comply with different standards, a power transmission intervalmay be divided into time slots for the first WPR 2200 a and the secondWPR 2200 b, respectively. The WPC 2100 transmits power to the first WPR2200 a during the first time slot, and transmits power to the second WPR2200 b during the second time slot. In this case, the first WPR 2200 amay be activated for the first time slot assigned thereto, butinactivated during the second time slot. In addition, the second WPR2200 b may be activated for the second time slot assigned thereto, butinactivated during the first time slot.

Once the first time slot starts, the WPC 2100 transmits test power tothe first WPR 2200 a, as illustrated in FIG. 11. As illustrated in FIG.11, there may be one or more first WPRs 2200 a. In the case where thereare a plurality of the first WPRs 2200 a, the WPC 2100 may transmitwireless power to a plurality of the first WPRs 2200 a in thesimultaneous mode or the TDMA mode (in a manner in which a time slot isdivided into sub time slots and each of the first WPRs 2200 a isassigned with a different sub time slot). The same manner may be appliedto the second time slot in the case where there are a plurality of thesecond WPRs 2200 b.

In response to receipt of the test power, the first WPR 2200 a mayfeedback, to the WPC 2100, at least one of a power value, a voltagevalue, and a current value regarding the received power. The WPC 2100may control power to be transmitted or perform impedance matching basedon the value fed back from the first WPR 2200 a, and transmit wirelesspower to the first WPR 2200 a based on this. During transmission ofwireless power, the first WPR 2200 a may periodically feedbackinformation on received power (a power value, a current value, and thelike) to the WPC 2100. Then, accordingly, the WPC 2100 may control powerto be transmitted and perform impedance matching. Upon the end of thefirst time slot, the WPC 2100 transmits, to the first WPR 2200 a, amessage indicating the end of the first time slot. Accordingly, thefirst WPR 2200 a may be informed that the first time slot ends, andbecome inactivated. At this point, the message indicating the end of thefirst time slot may be transmitted to the second WPR 2200 b.Accordingly, the second WPR 2200 b may be informed that the first timeslot ends, and become activated to prepare for the second time slot.

Once the second time slot starts, the WPC 2100 test power to the secondWPR 2200 b, as illustrated in FIG. 12. In response to receipt of thetest power, the second WPR 2200 b may feedback, to the WPC 2100, atleast one of a power value, a voltage value, and a current valueregarding the received power. The WPC 2100 may control power to betransmitted or perform impedance matching based on the value fed backfrom the second WPR 2200 b, and then transmit wireless power to thesecond WPR 2200 b. During transmission of the wireless power, the secondWPR 2200 b may periodically feedback information on received power (apower value, a current value, and the like). Then, accordingly, the WPC2100 may control power to be transmitted and perform impedance matching.

Meanwhile, transmission of wireless power during the first time slot andthe second time slot may be performed according to the first standardand the second standard, respectively. Specifically, a frequency bandfor a magnetic field of wireless power transmitted during the first timeslot may be different from a frequency band for a magnetic field ofwireless power transmitted during the second time slot. In addition,power transmission may be performed using the resonant magnetic couplingscheme during one time slot, and using the inductive coupling schemeduring the other time slot. In other words, a magnetic field transmittedduring the first time slot and a magnetic field transmitted during thesecond time slot may be different in at least one of a frequency band ora transmission scheme.

In addition, feedback may be performed differently according to whetherthe first standard or the second standard is used. It is possible that acurrent value is fed back during one time slot, while a voltage value isfed back during the other time slot. In addition, it is possible thatthe feedback is performed using a magnetic field in-band communication,while the feedback is performed using an out-band communication. Thatis, feedback during the first time slot and feedback during the secondtime slot may be different in at least one of a frequency band, acommunication scheme such as in-band communication and out-bandcommunication, and a type of information included in the feedback.

Upon the end of the second time slot, the WPC 2100 may finishtransmitting wireless power.

All the aforementioned operations are not essential for a wireless powertransceiving method according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, and the wireless power transceiving method may be performedsome or all of the aforementioned operations. In addition, theaforementioned examples of the wireless power transceiving method may beperformed in combination. Further, the aforementioned operations are notnecessarily performed in sequence.

According to the present invention, a single power transmissiontransmitter may transmit power to a plurality of wireless power receiverusing different wireless power transceiving standards.

In the above exemplary systems, although the methods have been describedon the basis of the flowcharts using a series of the steps or blocks,the present invention is not limited to the sequence of the steps, andsome of the steps may be performed at different sequences from theremaining steps or may be performed simultaneously with the remainingsteps. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that thesteps shown in the flowcharts are not exclusive and may include othersteps or one or more steps of the flowcharts may be deleted withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF MARK

-   -   1000: wireless power system    -   1100: wireless power transmission apparatus    -   1110: power transmission module    -   1111: AC-DC converter    -   1112: frequency oscillator    -   1113: power amplifier    -   1114: impedance matcher    -   1120: transmitting antenna    -   1125: communication antenna    -   1130: communication module    -   1131: in-band communication module    -   1132: out-band communication module    -   1140: controller    -   1200: wireless power receiving apparatus    -   1210: receiving antenna    -   1215: communication antenna    -   1220: power receiving module    -   1221: impedance matcher    -   1222: rectifier    -   1223: DC-DC converter    -   1224: battery    -   1230: communication module    -   1240: controller    -   2000: wireless power network    -   2100: wireless power charger    -   2200: wireless power receiver

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of receiving wireless power by awireless power receiver, the method comprising: receiving a scanningsignal from a wireless power transmitter through any one of a magneticfield of the first frequency band which complies with a first wirelesscharging standard and a magnetic field of a second frequency band whichcomplies with a first wireless charging standard; in response to thescanning signal, transmitting a first response signal if the wirelesspower receiver complies with the first wireless charging standard ortransmitting a second response signal if the wireless power receivercomplies with the second wireless charging standard; receiving from thewireless power transmitter a request signal to request for informationof the wireless power receiver, wherein both the request signal and theinformation of the wireless power receiver are defined by the samewireless charging standard; transmitting the information of the wirelesspower receiver to the wireless power transmitter, wherein theinformation of the wireless power receiver includes at least one ofinformation on the same wireless charging standard, a type of powertransmission mode that is supported, a power device type of the wirelesspower receiver, a power value for battery charge and a battery chargedstate; and receiving from the wireless power transmitter at leastinformation on the power transmission mode; and receiving from thewireless power transmitter a wireless power generated according to thesame wireless charging standard, the power transmission mode and thepower device type.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the case wherethe wireless power receiver is found by the wireless power transmitter,an identifier (ID) of wireless power receiver is assigned by wirelesspower transmitter.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the powertransmission mode includes a single mode and a multi-mode, and themulti-mode includes at least one of a simultaneous mode, a time divisionmultiple access (TDMA) mode, and a TDMA simultaneous mode that is acombination of the simultaneous mode and the TDMA mode.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising: receiving scheduling information indicatinga time slot where the wireless power receiver is activated to receivethe wireless power if the power transmission mode is the TDMA mode. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a test power fromthe wireless power transmitter; and transmitting a device status messageincluding at least one of power, voltage and current which is used forthe wireless power transmitter to adjust impedance matching.
 6. Awireless power receiver comprising: a communication module whichsupports at least in-band communication which transmits or receivesinformation loaded into a magnetic field through a receive antenna, orout-band communication which uses a magnetic field with a particularfrequency used as a center frequency; the receive antenna configured to:receives a scanning signal from a wireless power transmitter through anyone of a magnetic field of the first frequency band which complies witha first wireless charging standard and a magnetic field of a secondfrequency band which complies with a first wireless charging standard,transmits, in response to the scanning signal, a first response signalif the wireless power receiver complies with the first wireless chargingstandard or transmits a second response signal if the wireless powerreceiver complies with the second wireless charging standard; receivesfrom the wireless power transmitter a request signal to request forinformation of the wireless power receiver, wherein both the requestsignal and the information of the wireless power receiver are defined bythe same wireless charging standard, transmits the information of thewireless power receiver to the wireless power transmitter, wherein theinformation of the wireless power receiver includes at least one ofinformation on the same wireless charging standard, a type of powertransmission mode that is supported, a power device type of the wirelesspower receiver, a power value for battery charge and a battery chargedstate, and receives from the wireless power transmitter at leastinformation on the power transmission mode, wherein the receive antennareceives from the wireless power transmitter a wireless power generatedaccording to the same wireless charging standard, the power transmissionmode and the power device type, and a controller which controls overalloperations of the wireless power receiver; a rectifier which rectifiesthe wireless power by converting AC into DC; and a DC-DC converter whichconverts a voltage of the rectified DC into a desired level.
 7. Thewireless power receiver of claim 6, wherein in the case where thewireless power receiver is found by the wireless power transmitter, anidentifier (ID) of wireless power receiver is assigned by wireless powertransmitter.
 8. The wireless power receiver of claim 7, wherein thepower transmission mode includes a single mode and a multi-mode, and themulti-mode includes at least one of a simultaneous mode, a time divisionmultiple access (TDMA) mode, and a TDMA simultaneous mode that is acombination of the simultaneous mode and the TDMA mode.
 9. The wirelesspower receiver of claim 8, wherein the receive antenna receivesscheduling information indicating a time slot where the wireless powerreceiver is activated to receive the wireless power if the powertransmission mode is the TDMA mode.
 10. The wireless power receiver ofclaim 6, wherein the receive antenna receives a test power from thewireless power transmitter, and transmits a device status messageincluding at least one of power, voltage and current which is used forthe wireless power transmitter to adjust impedance matching.
 11. Awireless power transmitter comprising: a power transmitting moduleconfigured to transmit wireless power using one of a magnetic field offirst frequency band which complies with a first wireless chargingstandard and a magnetic field of second frequency band which complieswith a first wireless charging standard that is different from the firstwireless charging standard; a first communication module; a secondcommunication module; and a controller configured to: transmit a firstmagnetic field signal of the first frequency band through the powertransmitting module; detect a first response signal regarding the firstmagnetic field signal through the first communication module; inresponse to receipt of the first response signal, search for a firstwireless power receiver that receives wireless power using the firstfrequency band; transmit the second magnetic field signal through thepower transmitting module; detect a second response signal regarding thesecond magnetic field signal through the second communication module;and in response to receipt of the second response signal, search for asecond wireless power receiver that receives wireless power using thesecond frequency band.
 12. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11,wherein the first communication module is an in-band communicationmodule using the magnetic field of the first frequency band, and thesecond communication module is an in-band communication module using themagnetic field of the second frequency band.
 13. The wireless powertransmitter of claim 11, wherein the first communication module is anin-band communication module using the magnetic field of the firstfrequency band, and the second communication module is an out-bandcommunication module that performs communication using a communicationcarrier different from the magnetic field.
 14. The wireless powertransmitter of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configuredto: determine that the first wireless power receiver exists within awireless power transmission range in the case where the first responsesignal is received during a first preset time period; determine that thefirst wireless power receiver does not exist within the wireless powertransmission range in the case where the first response signal is notreceived during the first preset time period; determine that the secondwireless power receiver exits within the wireless power transmissionrange in the case where the second response signal is received during asecond preset time period; and determine that the second wireless powerreceiver does not exist within the wireless power transmission range inthe case where the second response signal is not received during thesecond preset time period.
 15. The wireless power transmitter of claim11, wherein the controller is further configured to detect the firstresponse signal during a first preset time period after transmitting thefirst magnetic field signal, and, if the first present time periodexpires, transmit the second magnetic field signal.
 16. The wirelesspower transmitter of claim 11, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to, in the case where the first wireless power receiver andthe second wireless power receiver are found, assign a first identifier(ID) to the first wireless power receiver and a second ID to the secondwireless power receiver.